Electric hair curling iron

ABSTRACT

An electric hair curling iron for the curling of an individual&#39;&#39;s hair including an elongated hollow shaft having one end mounted in the apex portion of a bell shaped handle having a base portion with legs adapted to permit the handle to stand upright in a vertical position. The rod terminates in the opposite end in a hollow conically shaped curling head having a plurality of spine like projections disposed about the circumference in longitudinally aligned series of rows extending from the base to the apex. A heating coil is disposed interiorly of the curling head for heating the same. The heating coil is connected to a controlling switch mounted in the handle for controlling the electrical energization and de-energization of the heating coil. It is to be noted that the conically shaped curling head provides a rapid and efficient manner of producing waves and curls of locks of hair of different sizes due to the varying diameter of the curling head intermediate the base and apex portions thereof.

[ 1 Nov. 25, 1975 1 ELECTRIC HAIR CURLING IRON [76] Inventors: Dennis L. Viegut; Cherie Viegut,

both of Appleton, Wis.

[22} Filed: Feb. 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 445,154

[52] U.S. Cl. 219/222; 34/96; 132/33;

219/227; 219/240, 219/523; 219/533 [51] Int. Cl HOSb l/OO; A45d 1/04 [58] Field of Search 219/221, 222-226,

219/227, 228, 230, 236, 240, 523, 533; 132/33 R, 33 A, 33 D, 35 F, 34 R, 31, 7, 9; 34/96, 97, 101

Primary ExaminerA. Bartis Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dennis L. Viegut [57] ABSTRACT An electric hair curling iron for the curling of an indi viduals hair including an elongated hollow shaft having one end mounted in the apex portion 01a bell shaped handle having a base portion with legs adapted to permit the handle to stand upright in a vertical position. The rod terminates in the opposite end in a hollow conically shaped curling head having a plurality of spine like projections disposed about the circumference in longitudinally aligned series of rows extending from the base to the apex. A heating coil is disposed interiorly of the curling head for heating the same. The heating coil is connected to a controlling switch mounted in the handle for controlling the electrical energization and de-energization of the heating coil It is to be noted that the conically shaped curling head provides a rapid and efficient manner of producing waves and curls of locks of hair of different sizes due to the varying diameter of the curling head intermediate the base and apex portions thereof.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 ELECTRIC HAIR CURLING IRON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to devices for producing curls and waves in an individuals hair, and more particularly to a novel electric hair curling iron which is self-supporting in an upright position and which has a conically shaped curling head portion.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is presently common practice in the art of arranging and styling hair for an individual to separate the hair on her head into individual and separate locks, moisten the locks and wind or roll each lock of hair to be curled about a separate roller of a selected size, this being where the locks of hair are fastened until they are dried, after which each lock of hair is individually removed from its respective roller. The drying of the hair may be accomplished under prevailing atmospheric conditions. or may be hastened by the individuals use of hair dryers and the like which blow heated air on the subjects head in a manner to decrease the time required for the drying of the locks of hair. The time required to carry out such a process is undesirably long and inconvenient. Rolling and securing the separate locks of hair on the many rollers for drying is a meticulous operation involving some inconvenience and often requiring the services of a skilled operator. Further, the storing of the large number of rollers or curlers of various sizes and configurations required is a considerable inconvenience and requires fumbling with the rollers to retrieve the proper sized roller when needed for rolling the hair.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a de- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes the problems associated with the inconvenience and time presently required to produce waves and curls of different sizes in an individuals hair, and provides a novel solution thereto in the form of an electric curling iron having a conically shaped curling head which is electrically heated such that locks of hair may be conveniently wound or rolled thereon over selected diametric portions thereof to produce a curl of hair of the desired diameter in a rapid time saving and convenient manner.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an electric hair curling iron capable of producing waves and curls of different sizes without having to use curler tubes or other accessory articles.

A further feature of the present invention provides an electric hair curling iron which is relatively simple in is construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides an electric hair curling iron which is relatively devoid of moving parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides an electric hair curling iron which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation in producing waves and curls of selectable different sizes in a rapid manner to provide pleasing effects in hair styling.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides an electric hair curling iron which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. I is a front elevational view of an electric hair curling iron constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and partially broken away to illustrate interior details thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an individual using the hair curling iron of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and showing a curl of hair ofa small diameter formed by using such minimum diameter portion of the curling head;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 4-4 of FIG. I and showing a medium sized diameter curl;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 5-5 of FIG. I and showing a large diameter curl;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic view of the electrical wiring of the hair curling iron.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated an electrically energized hair curling iron constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral I0, the hair curling iron being comprised of a shaft II, a handle 12, and a conically shaped curling head I4. The handle 12 is of a hollow bell shape having an apex portion 21, outwardly diverging side walls 22, and a base portion 23 provided with four individual leg portions 24 which are angularly spaced apart from each other about the circumference of the base surface and project axially outwardly therefrom in a manner to engage a suitable horizontal support surface 25 for resting the handle thereon in a self-supporting upright manner. An electrical slide type switch 26 is mounted in handle 12 with the actuating member thereof projecting through a longitudinally extending slot 27 located in side wall 22, the switch being movable between an on" and off position. One end of a suitably insulated electrical cord 28 projects through handle base 23 and is electrically connected to the switch 26. the opposite end of the cord extending a suitable length from the handle and terminating in an electrical plug (not shown) adapted to be plugged into a conventional household receptacle for supplying electrical energy to said switch.

The shaft 11 is in the form of a longitudinally elongated hollow open ended tubular body member 31 which is disposed concentric with the axis of the handle 12 and has its bottom portion 32 projecting through the apex portion 21 of the handle and being secured thereto. The top end portion 33 of the body member is disposed concentrically with the base portion 41 of the hollow conically shaped curling head 14 having conical side walls 42 and an apex portion 43. An electrical heating element 50 is disposed inwardly of the hollow compartment 44 formed interiorly of the curling head 14, the heating element being in the form of an electrical resistance rod. one or more electrical resistance heating coils. or the like which is connected by suitable electrical wiring 5] to switch 26 for selective energization and de-energization of the heating element.

The conical curling head [4 is provided with a plurality of circumferally spaced apart longitudinally extending rows of outwardly projecting spines 45 adapted for use in guiding an individual's lock of hair about selected portions of the curling head.

In operation. such as seen in FIG. 2. an individual grips the handle 12 in one hand. such as designated by reference numeral 60. and inserts the same into a selected lock of hair which is to be curled. the individual rotating the handle in a manner to wind or roll the selected lock of hair about the curling head 14 with the heating element 50 being energized such that upon completion of the rolling of the lock of hair the same is almost instantaneously dried such that thc curling head may be removed from the hair with the desired curl or wave remaining in the hair to provide a rapidly acquired and pleasing effect in hair styling, As seen in FlGS. 35. it is a feature of the invention that curls of different sizes may be formed about the curling head 14 by selecting the size of the curl to correspond to a portion of the overall length of the curling head and then winding such curl about such portion so that waves and curls of different sizes are readily produced. As seen in FIG. 3. a lock of hair 61 is formed in a curl of small di ameter by using the apex portion of the curling head. with FIG. 4 illustrating a lock of hair 62 of a medium diameter which is formed by wrapping about the intermediate portion of the curling head. and with FIG. 5 illustrating a large diameter curl of hair ()3 which is formed by wrapping the lock of hair about the curling head adjacent the base portion thereof.

Thus. by selecting the portion of the curling head to be used and then wrapping the lock of hair about such portion by using a turning motion of the handle. an individual is provided with a rapid means of producing waves and curls of different sizes without the need for separate curler tubes. accessories. and the like.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same. and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape. size. and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. the scope of the novel concepts thereof. or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A hair curling iron intended for producing waves and curls of selected different sizes in an individuals hair and comprising:

an elongated handle member having a top end. a bot tom end. and surrounding side surfaces. a plurality of supporting members mounted on said bottom end and adapted to retain said handle in an upright storage position;

an elongated rod member having one end mounted to the top end of said handle with the opposite end projecting axially outwardly therefrom. said rod having a bore extending axially therethrough;

a conically shaped curling head having a base surface. an apex surface. and surrounding conically shaped side wall surfaces. said base surface being disposed adjacent said opposite end of said rod member and permanently affixed thereto. a plural ity of hair guiding spines disposed about said side wall surfaces and projecting outwardly therefrom and adapted to guide strands of hair wrapped there-about;

a heating element disposed in said curling head and adapted to heat the side wall surfaces thereof in a manner to rapidly dry hair wrapped thereabout;

an electric switch mounted in said handle and having an actuating member projecting exteriorly of said handle and movable selectively between an *on" and ofF' position;

means electrically interconnecting said switch to said heating element; and

means adapted to electrically connect said switch to a source of electrical energy whereby operation of said switch will selectively energize and deenergize said heating element.

2. The hair curling iron as set forth in claim I wherein said handle member is of an elongated bell shape with the top end forming the apex portion of the bell. the bottom end forming the base end of the bell. and the side wall surfaces diverging downward and outward from the apex surface to the base surface. said bell being of a hollow configuration. and said support members comprising a plurality of angularly spaced apart axially outwardly projecting leg members disposed about the circumference of the base end and adapted to support the handle in an upright position on any suitable horizontal surface.

3. The hair curling iron set forth in claim 2 wherein said curling head is of a hollow conical configuration. said base surface is disposed concentrically with said rod member and permanently mounted thereto. and said spines comprise a plurality of circumferally spaced apart longitudinally extending rows of longitudinally spaced apart spine like members projecting outwardly of said side wall surfaces and extending between said base end and said apex portion.

4. The curling iron as set forth in claim 3 wherein said heating element is disposed interiorly of said hollow curling head. and wherein said electric switch is mounted within said handle member and is provided with an actuating member projecting outwardly of said handle member through a longitudinally extending slot provided in said handle member side wall surface. and wherein said means adapted to connect said switch to a suitable source of electrical energy comprises a suitably insulated electrical cord having one end electrically connected to said switch with the opposite end projecting outwardly of said handle through said base end and terminating in an electrical plug adapted to be plugged into a conventional household receptacle. 

1. A hair curling iron intended for producing waves and curls of selected different sizes in an individual''s hair and comprising: an elongated handle member having a top end, a bottom end, and surrounding side surfaces, a plurality of supporting members mounted on said bottom end and adapted to retain said handle in an upright storage position; an elongated rod member having one end mounted to the top end of said handle with the opposite end projecting axially outwardly therefrom, said rod having a bore extending axially therethrough; a conically shaped curling head having a base surface, an apex surface, and surrounding conically shaped side wall surfaces, said base surface being disposed adjacent Said opposite end of said rod member and permanently affixed thereto, a plurality of hair guiding spines disposed about said side wall surfaces and projecting outwardly therefrom and adapted to guide strands of hair wrapped thereabout; a heating element disposed in said curling head and adapted to heat the side wall surfaces thereof in a manner to rapidly dry hair wrapped thereabout; an electric switch mounted in said handle and having an actuating member projecting exteriorly of said handle and movable selectively between an ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' position; means electrically interconnecting said switch to said heating element; and means adapted to electrically connect said switch to a source of electrical energy whereby operation of said switch will selectively energize and de-energize said heating element.
 2. The hair curling iron as set forth in claim 1 wherein said handle member is of an elongated bell shape with the top end forming the apex portion of the bell, the bottom end forming the base end of the bell, and the side wall surfaces diverging downward and outward from the apex surface to the base surface, said bell being of a hollow configuration, and said support members comprising a plurality of angularly spaced apart axially outwardly projecting leg members disposed about the circumference of the base end and adapted to support the handle in an upright position on any suitable horizontal surface.
 3. The hair curling iron as set forth in claim 2 wherein said curling head is of a hollow conical configuration, said base surface is disposed concentrically with said rod member and permanently mounted thereto, and said spines comprise a plurality of circumferally spaced apart longitudinally extending rows of longitudinally spaced apart spine like members projecting outwardly of said side wall surfaces and extending between said base end and said apex portion.
 4. The curling iron as set forth in claim 3 wherein said heating element is disposed interiorly of said hollow curling head, and wherein said electric switch is mounted within said handle member and is provided with an actuating member projecting outwardly of said handle member through a longitudinally extending slot provided in said handle member side wall surface, and wherein said means adapted to connect said switch to a suitable source of electrical energy comprises a suitably insulated electrical cord having one end electrically connected to said switch with the opposite end projecting outwardly of said handle through said base end and terminating in an electrical plug adapted to be plugged into a conventional household receptacle. 